Some of the lyrics are genuinely goosebump-inducing, made even more powerful by Essence’s dreamy, intimate delivery. Gorgeous harmonies drift effortlessly through the stripped-back arrangement, creating a song that feels both painfully raw and softly nostalgic at the same time. It’s the kind of heartbreak that lingers long after the relationship has ended, not through dramatic outbursts, but in the quiet moments where memories unexpectedly resurface.

The accompanying visualiser perfectly mirrors that fragile atmosphere, placing Essence alone inside a glass box in a moonlit field, illuminated by the warm glow of a red lamp. Reflecting on the song, she explains: “It’s kind of like a grief that you feel even though they’re physically still here in the flesh.” She also describes ‘Red Velvet’ as being about “reminiscing, regret and how memory can distort the past,” adding that we often remember relationships through “rose-tinted glasses.” It’s a sentiment that feels painfully relatable, making ‘Red Velvet’ a quietly devastating portrait of love, loss and the memories that never quite let us go.

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Speaking about the inspiration behind the track, she says “’Told Me So’ is about someone I had a massive crush on for years. I didn’t say or do anything while we were living together because it was complicated, but years went by, and we no longer lived in the same country. I remember telling myself I would regret it—hence the title ‘Told Me So’—and, of course, it became too late.”

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On ‘Garden of Eden,’ Essence Martins’ delicate vocals reflect on the feeling of making mistakes and wanting to hit reset and start again, accompanied by soothing instrumentation. She explains “’Garden of Eden’ is about yearning for the idyllic, a clean slate, an easy ride without all the difficult, ugly things that make life so beautiful. It’s normal to want this, but not realistic, and the ‘Garden of Eden,’ in this case, is a metaphor for an idyllic, perfect world. The song asks the question, ‘Can I go back to start over again?’ and the answer is, of course, ‘No,’ which leaves the song and EP on a cliffhanger: What do we do now? And, of course, the answer is to keep going.”

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‘Mrs. Right’ is an anthem for the emotional rollercoaster of dating. Inspired by a situationship, Essence’s ethereal tone captures a moment of vulnerability. Essence explains: “I wrote ‘Mrs. Right’ in August 2022 about a situationship with someone who ended up getting into a perfect relationship after me. I was in a time of my life where everyone around me was getting into relationships, so I was feeling petty about the fact that I wasn’t in one, and that right after me, this person got into what seemed like a great one with someone else. I felt like a kind of stepping stone or doormat that people could walk all over. This emotion lasted only a couple of days, but I got a song out of it!”.

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On ‘Salvation’s Forgotten Us’, Essence’s ethereal vocals explore the powerful feelings of rejecting expectations, embracing freedom, embodying courage, and being true to herself, set against beautifully delicate instrumentation.

Reflecting on her personal inspiration for the song, Essence shares: “I wrote this song at a time when I felt ashamed of my queerness. I was sick of feeling this way, so I pretended I didn’t care what people thought and tried to write a song from the perspective of someone who is brave and proud. This person followed her dreams, loved who she wanted to, and was unapologetically herself. I ended up writing about the character I wanted to become, and even though I still feel far from her, I’m working towards her every day. I still care too much about what others think of me, which is partly why the song is very open-ended lyrically, but I love how it can be interpreted as whatever it needs to be for the listener.”

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“‘Wandering Souls’ is about curiosity. It is a small window into my mind. I often wonder what happens to us when we complete our journey on earth,” Essence explains. “To me, wandering souls feels like a child who has an endless curiosity about the ways of the world. It has all these questions that no one can really answer.”

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‘Brussel Sprouts’ is a tender self-penned dedication to Essence’s twin sister and the relationship with her family. Essence explains, “My twin sister and I understand each other so well that we know exactly what to do when one of us is having a hard time. I also have two older sisters who encourage and influence me to be the best person I can be. For me ‘Brussel Sprouts’ symbolises a rite of passage. A lot of us grew up hating Brussel sprouts as kids because of their bitter taste, but we were all told to eat them because they’re good for us. Everyone has to overcome obstacles to get to the light at the end of a tunnel and the Brussel Sprouts are just the little bumps in life that we all must encounter.”

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Drawing inspiration from a fusion of indie, folk, pop and soul, Essence’s sound is uniquely her own. Essence’s ethereal vocals tell a tale of love entangled in uncertainty, accompanied by harmonies that blend seamlessly with the dreamy strum of guitar.

Essence shares: “’Pending Status’ is a song about being involved with someone who isn’t fully committed. The flame you once had for them starts to burn out and eventually you have to move on. We shouldn’t wait around forever for someone who can’t make their mind up. It’s always better to know where you stand, even if you don’t get the answer you’re looking for. Knowing is better than not knowing.”

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